Crashlanding

Chapter Twenty Nine

6 Months Later..

"Perri you know I can't reach" I huff, as I stamp my feet, the smirk on his face growing. "Fine, fine, jump on my back" he chuckles, as he walks to beside me finally placing his phone down. "It can wait now" I mumble, as I place the star back on top of the decoration box, and walk into the kitchen, looking at the tinsel that had got to be unraveled. "Nah-uh" Perri chimes, lifting me up and fireman carrying me back to the fully decorated Christmas tree. "Put the star on the top babe" He chuckles, as he lifts me onto his shoulders, and passes me the star for the top of the tree.

I place it on carefully, taking a quick glance at the tree with a smile on my face, before Perri pulls me down from his shoulders and holds me in his arms, his smile being the only thing I was now looking at. "You're beautiful you know that right" he whispers as I shake my head. "Am I now more interesting than your phone?" I whisper as he smirks. "It's Christmas in just over a week, our first Christmas" he smiles. "But it is also your birthday tomorrow" I whisper, as he smiles. "And the best gift I could have is right here with me already" he smiles, as I hold my hand against his cheek and bring his lips down to mine. "Maybe, maybe not. Now please put me down, I've got somewhere to be in half an hour" I smile, as he reluctantly puts me down on the ground. "Don't you have a studio thing with Ash?" I question, as he picks his phone back up, looking at it. "Yup" He sighs. "It'll soon be Christmas" I smile, as he laughs but shakes his head. "If Ashley got his way we would be dancing away on Christmas Morning" he smiles, but I nod my head, that is something Ashley would do. "I really need to go, but I'll see you later" I whisper, as I kiss his cheek quickly, before running out of the door before he could say another word.

As I sit in the car, I can't help the sickness feeling. I look into the bag I had already packed in the car, looking at the white envelope that had my name written on it, a different address but my name.
I tear at the envelope, seeing the words I dreaded to read.

Ava,
My darling sweet Ava, my first love, my only love really. I never knew how strong you were, how strong you are, nor did I ever intend on hurting you the way I did. But it happened and I can never take that back, but I know that I can never break your spirit either.
I apologise for everything that has happened between us, words will never be enough, but I am sorry. I hope somewhere in the world you'll find the time to forgive my actions, maybe we will meet again in a different time.
Louie.

I scrunch the letter up, it wasn't the first I had received, and I highly doubted it would be the last.

I start my car, and drive round to another place that was like a second home to me, instantly smiling when I see Sam and Opie stood outside, Starr and Elvie on the grass, not that is was warm enough to be sunbathing in the unusual winter sun we were having. "Vaaa" Elvie shouts, running and hugging me as soon as I step out of the car. "Elves" I chuckle, hugging her back. "What have you called me here for? I'm not having a girly papering day" Sam means, as Opie sits on the grass, looking up at us. "Well, I have some news" I whisper, as I grip the bag that was now hanging around by my waist. "But I really need your help with this as I can't have any of this at mine and Perri's, he can not know until tomorrow" I state, as I pull the object out of my bag, all three mouths dropping open. "Oh my god" Starr screams, as I look down to the ground, the smile leaving my face.

—-

Dancework Studios;

I look around the room and see the ribbons, balloons and banners draped across the studio, the silver balloons of '25' catching my eye, the word 'Pel' written in another three next to the 25.
"You've done a really good job Ava" Ashley smiles, as he sips up his jacket, making me smile. "I just hope he isn't going to kill me" I chuckle, as Ashley shakes his head. "He could never kill you" he smiles.

I walk around the small buffet we had put on for the children, the adults were heading to Nando's after the small party, but I couldn't help but scan over the cakes, each cupcake had a different word on it.

My head turns to the door as the party poppers are set off, Perri's laugh filling the room. I lift the gift bag I had set up next to the food and walk over to the middle of the room, Perri's eyes finding mine. "You did all this?" He whispers, the smile not leaving his face, his eyes sparkling, but filled with tears, tears that I hoped were happy.

I nod my head. "Actually, I have another present for you, but I wanted to give it to you surrounded by family, friends, people we love" I whisper, as his eyes knit together in confusion. "And I'm sure you're going to scream, and probably shout, but I hope you're as happy as I am with it" I smile, as I catch Sams smile from the corner of the room, his phone recording this moment.

Perri takes the bag from my hands, his eyes looking at me as he pulls an A4 sized box out of the bag, followed by a card. "You already got me a card?" He questions. "Open the box first" I state, as he nods his head, smiling at me.

His eyes scan the top infront of him, his eyes showing the confusion that was written over his face. "Is this for Barry?" He chuckles, as he pulls a small white top from the box, only looking at the plain front, if he turned it around he would see the wording on the back. "Okay, forget that open the card" I whisper, as I take the top, showing it to everyone else in the room, the smiles on their faces, as Perri opens the birthday card. A plain card on the front. But it was what was on the inside that mattered.

Baby Kiely, 15th July 2021.

Perri's eyes look at me, a smile on his face as I show him the back of the top.

Baby Kiely, Diversity 2021.